Learn to play drums with Positive Music and let your creativity flow
The djembe originated in West Africa and featured in African drumming music, a drum now played around the world for wellbeing programs, performance and community drum circles. As a drum teacher with over 30 years, and now a developing composer, I incorporate this beautiful hand drum in many of my percussion music compositions.
I wanted to share with you a small video snippet from my online percussion workshop, River Red Gum. Percussion music composition featuring a variety world hand drums and tuned percussion instruments such as the xylophone. A wonderful introduction into percussion music for beginners and intermediate players.
When we learn how to drum and understand how ensemble rhythms within the music fit together like a beautiful jigsaw puzzle to create a picture. We begin to enhance our listening skills, we expand and increase our rhythm vocabulary to express our self musically. Which in turn increases our wellbeing. Isn’t that what we want?
Learning percussion music can be so rewarding! Not only do we learn rhythms and musical skills on our chosen instrument, we also build confidence to play with others and forge lifelong friendships, and a sense of community and belonging. Music has the power to bring people together from all walks of life and together in this creative process of rhythm, sound and energy, we make-music.
Learn djembe lesson and increase drumming skills
Let’s take a look at one of River Red Gum djembe rhythms from the online drum lesson modules. One way to develop our rhythm skills and music skills is playing longer drum phrases, such as two bar rhythms. Musically in this case, it increases intrigue, musical scope and a sense of moving forward within the percussion song. Yes, these kinds of longer drum rhythms can take time to master. That’s why I have created the online drumming workshop for you, to help develop your drumming skills.
I have included two ways this can be written in triplet form. For those you who read musical notation and those who prefer box form notation.
Djembe rhythm 1
Djembe rhythm 2
Put the two djembe rhythms together to create one interesting rhythm
We can also see this rhythm in 6/8 time signature
Let's get learning and unlock your potential...
Whether you’re a weekend drummer, drum circle enthusiast, classroom teacher or music therapist who plays the djembe drum, congas or drumkit, it is vital to understand how ensemble rhythms connect, engage and support each other within the percussion ensemble.
In River Red Gum composition, each drum has their own role to play within the percussion ensemble as I teach in the online drum lessons.
Let’s look at four ways we can continue to develop rhythm skills;
- Playing along to music at variant tempos (improves timing, speed and feel)
- Listening to a variety of musical styles (keep exploring, builds listening skills)
- Sound out rhythms with the voice (if we can say it we can play it, increases rhythm repertoire)
- Drum with others and build friendships (increases wellbeing – we learn quickly when we are having FUN!)
With these simple actions, we can begin to experience success (small or big wins) which promotes and strengthens confidence and self-belief.
By taking small steps outside of our comfort zone we open our self up to opportunities to grow musically and personally. We reap the rewards with the benefits of drumming.
Have you ever had the feeling of being in the zone, completely in the moment and all time and matter disappears? We’re not thinking about technique, not thinking am I in time, not thinking at all… This is the power of music - getting lost in the energy, rhythm and creative spirit.
Find out more about Positive Music online percussion workshop
Are there any suggestions you might have about improving drum skills? Please leave them in the comment below.
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